New music technology could have more kids turning a deaf ear. Some people are beginning to experience hearing loss at a younger age. Experts blame iPod and MP3 players. There are a number of small devices packing a powerful punch to the ears.

Experts find noise induced hearing loss is on the rise in those using them.. Linda M. Farley is an audiologist in Hazleton. She finds young people often have problems with hearing certain sounds.

"That's where they are hearing the phonetic sounds of thah, frah, sssah, they are very soft, soft sounds that are in our hearing. So loudness, that they hear in the lower frequencies, is very normal," Farely says.

Some parents notice a problem when their children's grades begin to suffer. The new sound gadgets are just another level in an increasingly louder world, "Some of the other things are the rock concerts, turning up the volume on your stereo system, any kind of noise exposure, snowmobiling," Farley finds.

New nearly invisible hearing aids, can help younger people regain their sense of sound. By, at least partially tuning out the background noise. "When you put something in your ear you are naturally altering those lower frequencies, so we don't want to do that. We have normal hearing, so this device, just amplifies the higher frequencies, and give people a crisp clear understanding of words and conversations," this audiologist explains.

Keep in mind parents, loud music isn't necessarily good music for children's ears. Experts also suggest everyone give their ears 24-hour rest after a loud event.

By Jill Garrett
http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=4091543